Chapter 7 Prep U

While a client admitted to the medical-surgical unit is in the radiology department, a visitor claiming to be the client's cousin arrives on the medical-surgical unit and asks the nurse to provide a brief outline of the client's illness. Which response by the nurse would be mostappropriate, both legally and professionally?

"I cannot give you that information due to client confidentiality"

Which is an example of an unintentional tort?

A nurse gives the client a medication, and the client has an adverse reaction to it.

Which statement about laws governing the distribution of controlled substances is true?

Nurses are responsible for adhering to specific documentation about controlled substances.

A family brings the client to the emergency department in an unconscious state with a head injury. The client requires surgery to remove a blood clot. What would be the appropriate nursing intervention in keeping with the policy of informed consent prior to a surgical procedure? a. The nurse confirms that the client's family has signed the consent form. b. The nurse informs the family about advance directives. c. The nurse informs the family about the living will. d. The nurse confirms that the client has signed the consent form.

a

Nurses complete incident reports as dictated by the agency protocol. What is the primary reason nurses fill out an incident report? a. To improve quality of care b. To document the need for disciplinary action c. To document everyday occurrences d. To initiate litigation

a

Which is true of the Occupational Safety and Health Act? a. It helps to reduce workforce injuries and illness in the workplace. b. It protects nurses who are recovering from drug or alcohol addiction or have communicable diseases. c. It establishes an information clearinghouse for nurses who engage in unprofessional conduct. d. It requires nurses to report abuse of infants, children, and adults of all ages.

a

A client being discharged from the hospital asks the nurse, "When I go visit my family out of state, should I take my living will with me, or do I need a new one for that state?" Which is the most appropriate response by the nurse? a. "A living will can only be used in the state in which it was created." b. "Take it with you. It is recognized universally in the United States." c. "We have it on file here, so any hospital can call and get a copy." d. "As long as your family knows your medical wishes, you will not need it."

b

While riding in the elevator, a nurse discusses the HIV-positive status of a client with other colleagues. The nurse's action reflects: a. false imprisonment. b. invasion of privacy. c. professional negligence. d. defamation of character.

b

Nurses practicing in a critical care unit must acquire specialized skills and knowledge to provide care to the critically ill client. These nurses can validate this specialty competence through what process? a. Litigation b. Licensure c. Certification d. Accreditation

c

A nurse is overheard in the hospital cafeteria making false, derogatory comments about a client. The nurse is guilty of:

slander - verbal

A nurse talks with family members about an AIDS client from the clinic where the nurse works. Which tort has the nurse committed? a. Invasion of privacy b. Assault c. Slander d. Fraud

a

A nurse witnesses a traffic accident and dresses the open wounds sustained by a child. Later, in the hospital, the child develops complications from an infection in the wound. The family holds the nurse responsible for the complications and attempts to file a lawsuit. Which statement is true regarding how the Good Samaritan law applies to this case: a. The Good Samaritan law is not applicable to health care workers. b. The Good Samaritan law will not protect the nurse because the nurse did not accept compensation. c. The Good Samaritan law will provide legal immunity to the nurse. d. The Good Samaritan law will provide absolute exemption from prosecution

c

Professional regulations and laws that govern nursing practice are in place for which reason? a. To limit the number of nurses in practice b. To ensure that enough new nurses are always available c. To protect the safety of the public d. To ensure that practicing nurses are of good moral standing

c

Legal safeguards are in place in the nursing practice to protect the nurse from exposure to legal risks as well as to protect the client from harm. What is an example(s) of legal safeguards for the nurse? Select all that apply. a. The nurse confirms informed consent was give by the client to perform a procedure. b. The nurse documents all client care in a timely manner. c. The nurse claims management is responsible for inadequate staffing leading to negligence. d. The health care provider is responsible for administration of a wrongly prescribed medication. e. The nurse educates the client about what to expect during the hospital stay. f. The nurse executes the health care provider's prescriptions without questioning them.

a, b, e,

Which statements made by a nurse would indicate to a nurse manager that the nurse requires further training? Select all that apply. a. "When I document, I make sure it is factual, accurate, complete, and timely." b. "The nursing plan of care must be accurate and must be followed. It is part of the client's permanent record." c. "I will have the supervisor fill out the incident report when I make an error." d. "If I make a mistake, I will not tell anyone." e. "I am accountable for any task that I delegate.

c, d

A physician is called to see a client with angina. During the visit the physician advises the nurse to decrease the dosage of atenolol to 12.5 mg. However, because the physician is late for another visit, the physician requests that the nurse write down the order for the physician. What should be the appropriate nursing action in this situation? a. The nurse should remind the physician later to write the work order. b. The nurse should inform the client of the change in medication. c. The nurse should write the order and implement it. d. The nurse should ask the physician to come back and write the order.

d

An alert, older adult has been deemed to be in imminent danger of harm to self and is being held on the mental health unit for 72 hours. The client begins to scream and demand they be discharged now. The nurse informs the client that if they do not stop screaming, they will be given a sedative and placed on restraints. Finish the sentence. The nurse may be charged with ________ because of __________.

- assault - verbally threatening to administer a sedative

A nurse has been asked to serve as an expert witness in a malpractice case in which an infant died in the newborn nursery. Which questions should the nurse consider prior to accepting this job? Select all that apply -"How would I react if I was sued?" -"How would I feel if my child died due to a nurse's malpractice?" -"Have I ever worked in this hospital system?" -"How much education do I have about caring for newborns?" -"How much clinical experience do I have in the newborn nursery?"

d, e

A nurse is called to a deposition for a malpractice charge that has resulted in the death of a client. As the chart is reviewed, the prosecuting attorney questions the nurse about several defaming comments written in the medical record about the client. What charges can be filed against the nurse due to these comments? a. Libel b. Slander c. Negligence d. Malpractice

a Libel - written things

A client was admitted to a postoperative nursing unit after undergoing abdominal surgery. During this time, the nurse failed to recognize the significance of abdominal swelling, which significantly increased during the next 6 hours. Later, the client had to undergo emergency surgery. The lack of action on the nurse's part is liable for action. Which legal term describes the case? a. Misdemeanor b. Felony c. Fraud d. Tort

d

A legal document that states a client's health-related wishes — such as a preference for pain management if the client becomes terminally ill — and also allows the client's adult child to direct the client's care, is: a. a will. b. a license. c. a standard of care. d. an advance directive

d

The nurse is providing care to a client who had orthopedic surgery. The nurse has medicated the client for pain. However, the client reports that the pain is unrelieved. The nurse takes no further action regarding assessment and intervention for the client's pain. The nurse does not notify the surgeon regarding the client's pain. The nurse's failure to take further action represents which element of liability in this case? a. Causation b. Duty c. Damages d. Breach of duty

d

When the nurse informs a client's employer of the client's autoimmune deficiency disease, the nurse is committing the tort of: a. battery. b. breach of contract. c. assault. d. invasion of privacy.

d

In some cases, the act of providing nursing care in unexpected situations is covered by the Good Samaritan laws. Which nursing action would most likely be covered by these laws? a. Any emergency care given when consent is obtained b. Emergency care for a choking victim in a restaurant c. A negligent act performed in an emergency situation d. Medical advice given to a neighbor regarding a child's rash

b

A nurse becomes concerned that a coworker may have a substance use disorder. Which behaviors by the coworker would increase this concern? Select all that apply. a. The coworker mentioned going to the primary care provider's office twice in the last month. b. The coworker has stopped eating lunch in the breakroom with other nurses. c. The coworker made a medication error last week. d. The coworker has needed to leave early "to pick up my kids" several times in the last 2 months. e. The last two times the nurse has needed help turning a client, the coworker could not be found.

b, d, e

Which scenario is an example of certification? a. A graduate of a nursing education program who passes NCLEX-RN b. A hospital that meets the standards of the Joint Commission c. An education program that meets standards of the National League for Nursing d. A nurse who demonstrates advanced expertise in a content area of nursing through special testing

d

While teaching about advance care planning, which fact is important for the nurse to share with a client who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness? a. The Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990 requires hospital clients to have an advance directive. b. Living wills provide specific instructions related to the client's personal property upon death. c. A durable power of attorney for health care appoints an agent the person trusts to make decisions. d. Advance directives must be completed 30 days prior to hospitalization in order to be valid.

c